Adjustable child booster seat

ABSTRACT

An adjustable booster seat including a seat and a base configured to be placed on an elevated surface above ground. The seat may be rotated relative to the base to move the seat and the base relative to each other in to adjust the booster seat to a desired height.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an adjustable booster seatfor children.

BACKGROUND

It is common practice for toddlers to sit at a dining table. Diningtables are designed to generally have a height that is comfortable foruse by older children and adults. As the distance from an elevatedsitting surface, such as a chair or a bench, to the dining surface isusually too great to be optimal for a toddler, a booster seat is usuallyused to raise the toddler above the normal sitting height of the chairor bench.

However, chairs, benches, and stools have different heights as dovarious tables, countertops, and other eating surfaces such that theideal amount of booster height varies. An additional complicating factoris that toddlers grow quickly. Thus, a booster seat purchased today maynot provide for the optimal height six months later, requiring thepurchase of a larger booster seat. Therefore, a need exists for atoddler's booster seat having an adjustable height.

A further consideration is that toddlers are usually positioned closerto the table or counter than an adult because their arms are shorter. Bybeing positioned closer to the table or counter, spilled food andliquids can fall in front of the toddler onto the table rather than onthem, their clothes, the chair, and floor.

Because of the total height of the chair and the booster seat together,it may be necessary for an adult to lift the child into and out of thechair and booster seat. It would be desirable, therefore, if the sittingsurface of the booster seat could be moved safely by the adult in orderto allow the child to be turned so that their knees would clear thetable and have the child properly turned to make it easier for the adultto pick up the child from the booster seat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one preferred embodiment provides for a childbooster seat that is adjustable in height having a base configured to beplaced upon an elevated surface above the ground, such as a chair orbench for example. The base preferably has a lower surface, an uppersurface opposite the lower surface, an exterior sidewall, and a maximumwidth and a height perpendicular the maximum width; and a seat includinga bottom, a top opposite the bottom, and a central longitudinal axisthrough the bottom and the top. The bottom includes a recess with aninterior sidewall. The recess has a maximum width perpendicular to thecentral longitudinal axis, the width of the recess being greater than amajority of the maximum width of the base. The recess has a depthparallel to the central longitudinal axis of the seat, the depth of therecess being greater than a majority of the height of the base. Theexterior sidewall of the base is configured to moveably engage theinterior sidewall of the recess to move the position of the seatrelative to the base when a portion of the base is inserted into therecess of the seat resulting in the raising or lowering of the seatrelative to the elevated surface upon which the base of the booster seatis placed. Preferably, the exterior sidewall of the base is configuredto rotationally engage the interior sidewall of the recess to raise orlower the seat relative to the base, similar to, for example only, ascrew and nut fastener relationship.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides for anadjustable child booster seat similar to that described above, but wherethe seat has a threaded bottom portion configured to engage a recess inthe base.

In a further preferred embodiment, the invention provides for anadjustable child booster seat that includes a seat having a bottom, atop opposite the bottom, and a central longitudinal axis through thebottom and the top. The bottom includes a recess with an interiorsidewall. The seat has a maximum width perpendicular to the centrallongitudinal axis. The booster seat includes a base having a lowersurface, an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and an exteriorsidewall. The exterior sidewall includes a thread having a maximum outerdiameter greater than a majority of the maximum width of the seat. Thethread is configured to engage a portion of the recess of the seat toraise the seat relative to the base.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable booster seat positioned onan elevated surface such as a chair in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a lower exploded perspective view of the adjustable boosterseat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the adjustable booster seat of FIG. 1in a collapsed position and positioned on a chair.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the adjustable booster seat of FIG. 1in an expanded position and positioned on a chair.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the adjustable booster seat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the adjustable booster seat ofFIG. 1 in the collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the adjustable booster seat ofFIG. 1 in the expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 7 show a preferred embodiment of an adjustable booster seat100 having a seat 102 and a base 104 configured for placement on anelevated surface above the ground such as for example, chair 10. In use,seat 102 is rotated relative to base 104 to raise or lower the positionof the seat above the base. The preferred elements of booster seat 100and their interrelationship are described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, seat 102 has a top 106 with a sitting area108, a bottom 110 opposite top 106, and an exterior sidewall 112. Thesitting area 108 may include a contoured recess adapted to furtherstabilize a child in the seat. The anterior portion of sitting area 108may include a raised portion or small knob positioned between thechild's legs to prevent the child from sliding forward and out of theseat. Additionally, seat 102 may include a small seat back to secure thechild to seat 102. Preferably, sidewall 112 extends above sitting area108 to assist in retaining the child in the seat.

As shown in FIG. 2, bottom 110 of seat 102 preferably includes a recess114 for receiving at least a portion of base 104. Recess 114 includes aninterior sidewall 116 preferably having a groove 118 for receiving acorresponding thread 130 on base 104, as will be described in moredetail below. Groove 118 is preferably spaced apart between turns alongat least a portion of the depth of recess 114.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, base 104 has an upper surface 124, a lowersurface 126 opposite upper surface 124, and an exterior sidewall 128.Exterior sidewall 128 preferably includes a thread 130 having multipleturns about the central longitudinal axis of base 104, and is configuredto engage groove 118 of seat 102 to raise and lower seat 102 relative tobase 104. It will be appreciated that any number of turns may be used asdesired and appropriate for the intended purpose with three to ten turnsbeing generally preferred. Thread 130 preferably has a blunt apex, morepreferably a generally planar distal surface 132 or other thread profileto assure that the dull thread poses no danger of a caregiver or a childbeing cut or otherwise injured when using the booster seat.

Lower surface 124 of base 104 preferably includes a plurality ofengagement openings 134 and cut-outs 136 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 tofacilitate handling of base 104 during rotation. Openings 134 andcut-outs 136 are preferably configured to facilitate the heightadjustment of booster seat 100 by permitting a user to keep base 104steady while seat 102 is rotated to an elevated height. Cut-outs 136 arepreferably arrayed along a lip 138 preferably surrounding the lowerportion of base 104 so as to be accessible from both the side and thebottom of base 104.

Groove 118 of seat 102 and thread 130 of base 104 are preferablyconfigured to permit continued adjustment without preconfiguredincrements, though the present invention is not so limited as will befurther described below. To inhibit or resist reverse rotation, one orboth of groove 118 and thread 130 may include a surface configured toenhance friction. The combination of a friction-enhancing surface andlarge thread outer diameter relative to the width of the seat functionsto inhibit regressive rotational motion, particularly when the child'sweight is added to seat 102.

If desired, booster seat 100 may be configured with a locking mechanismto lock the height of seat 102 relative to base 104. Such a lockingmechanism may be formed, for example only, as a ratcheted springmechanism, or a turn screw.

Referring to FIG. 5, base 104 preferably has a relatively largefootprint to be stable when placed on an elevated sitting surface. Base104 has a maximum outer dimension in a plane perpendicular to thecentral longitudinal axis of base 104 that is preferably greater than amajority of a maximum outer dimension of seat 102 in a planeperpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of seat 102. Morepreferably, the maximum outer dimension of base 104 is preferablygreater than fifty percent (50%) of the maximum outer dimension of seat102. The portion of base 104 insertable into recess 114 of seat 102preferably has a maximum outer dimension that is at least twenty-fivepercent (25%) of the maximum outer dimension of seat 102. Theaforementioned reference planes may be co-planar or offset. Forillustrative purposes only, the maximum outer dimensions in theaforementioned reference planes will be referred to as a “width,” thoughthe invention is not so limited. For example, the maximum dimension mayalso be a diameter where the outer shape of either the seat and/or baseis circular. The percentage ratios set forth above may also beapplicable when comparing the maximum width of base 104 relative to amaximum width of recess 114.

As shown in FIG. 6, seat 102 preferably has a maximum overall heightgreater than the maximum overall height of base 104. Preferably, themaximum width of base 104 is greater than the height of base 104.Preferably the maximum outer diameter of thread 130 of base 104 isgreater than a majority of the width of seat 102.

FIG. 6 also shows that recess 114 of seat 102 preferably has a depthgreater than a majority of the height of base 104. More preferably, thedepth of recess 114 is generally equal to the height of base 104. Itwill be appreciated that the depth of recess 114 may be configured in avariety of ways, and that the depth may be more or less than the heightof base 104 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Booster seat 100 may be formed from a variety of materials. For exampleonly, booster seat 100 is preferably formed from an injection-molded,durable plastic. It will be appreciated that booster seat 100 may beformed from a single material, or a combination of materials. Suchmaterials may include, but are not limited to plastic, metal and/orrubber. For example only, lower surface 126 of base 104 may be formed asa rubber layer to impede the lateral movement of booster seat 100 whenplaced on chair 10. Either or both of seat 102 and base 104 may be madeof a light-weight metal such as aluminum. Other metals may be used asdesired without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Having described the preferred components of booster seat 100, apreferred method of use will now be described with reference to FIGS.2-4, 6 and 7. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a person desiring to elevatethe seating height of a child places booster seat 100 on the seatingarea of an elevated sitting surface above the ground such as on chair10. Seat 102 is rotated about the central longitudinal axis of base 104so that groove 118 of seat 102 and thread 130 of base 104 move relativeto each other, axially elevating seat 102 relative to base 104 from afirst, collapsed position, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, to anexpanded position, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 to adjust theheight of booster 100. While it is appreciated that the range of heightsto which booster seat 100 may be adjusted can vary, one preferred rangeof height change can be approximately 5 to 10 inches as an example. Seat102 is rotated until the desired seat height is reached. The child maybe placed on seat 102 prior to rotating seat 102. Seat 102 may then berotated while the child is on the seat. Alternatively, the child may beplaced on seat 102 after the desired height is reached.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be variedconsiderably without departing from the scope of the present invention.For example only, the seat may be formed in a variety of shapes. Theseat may be formed with a sidewall that does not extend above the heightof the sitting surface. The sitting surface may be anatomicallycontoured or curved for a child.

The base may be hollow, such as shown in FIG. 6, or solid. When hollow,the base may have a substantially open top and/or bottom. Alternatively,the base may have a closed bottom and an open top to function as astorage compartment for items when travelling. When hollow, openings 134(FIG. 5) may serve as vents to allow the easy escape of air between thetop of recess 114 and base 104 as base 104 is rotated into recess 114. Asubstantially hollow base has many advantages. For example only, formingbase to be substantially hollow allows booster seat 100 to be morelightweight and less expensive to manufacture.

The base and seat may be configured in other ways so as to elevate theseat relative to the base. For example, the recess of the seat may havea thread configured to engage a corresponding groove in the exteriorsidewall of the base. Alternatively, both the seat and the base may bethreaded to engage with each other.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, theconfigurations of the bottom of the seat and the top of the base may bereversed. For example, instead of a recess, the seat may have a bottomportion projecting therefrom that includes a thread. The base may have atop which includes a recess into which the bottom portion of the seatthreadably engages to raise or lower the seat relative to the base.

When at least one of the base and seat have a thread, the thread(s) mayhave a ratcheted surface on one or both sides or facets of the thread.Such a configuration would facilitate incremental elevation of the seatrelative to the base. For example, groove 118 may include a plurality ofspaced-apart recesses along its spiral path that are each configured toreceive a projection on one side of thread 130. To incrementally elevatethe seat relative to the base, the user may lift the seat vertically,and then rotate the seat around its central longitudinal axis. Once thedesired height is achieved, the user may push down on the seat androtate the seat until the projection and recess engage. It will beappreciated that rotational interlocking may also be achieved byincluding one or more recesses on the thread configured to engage one ormore corresponding projections in the groove.

The thread may include one or more indentations to interrupt anotherwise continuous outer thread diameter. The indentations may engagewith a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism located along a portion of theinterior sidewall of the recess of the seat.

Any of the projections, recesses and ratcheting described above forincremental elevation may be configured for one-way movement if desired.To move the seat in a reverse direction, the ratcheting mechanism may bedisengaged by, for example, pulling a ratchet arm away with a lever, andpermitting or causing reverse motion.

It will be appreciated that in another preferred embodiment, the seatmay be elevated relative to the base without rotational movement. Forexample, the booster seat may include one or more columns andcorresponding grooves that are ratcheted, using similar base and seatwidth to height ratios as described above. This would allow the seat tobe raised and lowered vertically without rotational movement. A singlerelease mechanism, such as a button or lever, may be used to disengagemore than one column at a time. When the booster seat is configured fornon-rotational elevational movement, the base may be configured to berotatable so that the booster seat may swivel. Such swivel may belimited to less than one full turn, for example, 90 degrees or 180degrees.

The lower surface of the base may include one or more suction cups toenhance securing the booster seat to the chair. The booster seat may besecured to the chair in other ways without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. For example, the booster seat may include one ormore straps with buckles, or hook and loop fasteners to secure the baseto the chair.

The lower surface of the base may be contoured to the shape of theintended chair. Such contouring is beneficial for maintaining thebooster seat on a chair when the sitting area of the chair isnon-planar. The lower surface of the booster seat may be made of amaterial adapted to conform to the surface against which it is placed.For example, the lower surface may be formed from a silicon or rubbermaterial. Alternatively, the lower surface may include a recessconfigured to retain a weighted bag filled with granular material suchas beans, pebbles or sand, which functions to conform to cushionedsurfaces, such as a theater seat, and acts as a ballast to assist inmaintaining the booster seat on the larger seat.

The booster seat may be configured for use with a variety of ancillaryattachments. For example, the booster seat may be configured for usewith a tray. Such a tray may either be slidable or pivotable relative tothe booster seat.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied toother embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features ofother embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

The booster seat may be used in a variety of environments. The boosterseat may also be shaped and configured for use with a theater seat.

The booster seat may be configured for use as a portable trainingtoilet. For example, the sitting area of the seat may include agenerally central aperture, and the base may be formed with a generallyopen upper surface and a closed lower surface to function as areceptacle. The seat may be raised or lowered according to any one ofthe configurations described above.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable child booster seat for placement onan elevated sitting surface above ground, said booster seat comprising:a base including a lower surface, an upper surface opposite said lowersurface configured to be placed on the elevated sitting surface abovethe ground, and an exterior sidewall, said base having a maximum widthand a height perpendicular the maximum width; and a seat including abottom, a top opposite said bottom, and a central longitudinal axisthrough said bottom and said top, said bottom including a recess with aninterior sidewall, said recess having a maximum width perpendicular tothe central longitudinal axis, the width of said recess being greaterthan a majority of the maximum width of said base, said width of saidbase being at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum width ofsaid seat, said recess having a depth parallel to the centrallongitudinal axis of said seat, the depth of said recess being greaterthan a majority of the height of said base, said exterior sidewall ofsaid base being configured to be inserted at least in part into saidrecess of said seat, said base rotatably engaging said interior sidewallof said recess to move said seat and said base relative to each other toalter the height of said seat relative to the elevated seating surface.2. The booster seat of claim 1, wherein the maximum width of said baseis greater than the height of said base.
 3. The booster seat of claim 1,wherein said recess has a generally circular cross section perpendicularto the depth of said recess.
 4. The booster seat of claim 1, whereinsaid exterior sidewall of said base includes a thread for engagementwith said interior sidewall of said recess.
 5. The booster seat of claim4, wherein said interior of said recess is grooved to receive saidthread of said exterior sidewall of said base.
 6. The booster seat ofclaim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base includes a non-slipmaterial configured to increase friction between said base and theelevated surface.
 7. The booster seat of claim 1, wherein said lowersurface of said base includes at least one engagement recess configuredto permit a user to facilitate rotation of said base relative to saidseat.
 8. The booster seat of claim 1, wherein at least one of said baseand said seat is formed at least in part of a plastic material.
 9. Thebooster seat of claim 1, wherein said exterior sidewall of said baseincludes a thread having a maximum outer diameter greater than amajority of the maximum width of said seat, said thread being configuredto engage a portion of said recess of said seat to move said seat andsaid base relative to each other.
 10. The booster seat of claim 10,wherein the maximum outer diameter of said thread is greater thanapproximately 70% to 90% of the maximum width of said seat.
 11. Thebooster seat of claim 1, wherein said base rotatably engaging saidinterior sidewall of said recess to move said seat and said baserelative to each other to alter the height of said seat relative to theelevated seating surface.
 12. The booster seat of claim 1, wherein saidseat includes a contoured recess adapted to stabilize a child seated insaid booster seat.
 13. The booster seat of claim 1, wherein an interiorportion of said seat includes a raised portion adapted to be positionedbetween a child's legs to prevent the child seated in said seat fromsliding out of said booster seat.
 14. The booster seat of claim 1,wherein at least one of said thread and said recess of said seatincludes a surface configured to enhance friction to inhibit regressiverotational motion of said seat relative to said base.
 15. The boosterseat of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock theheight of said seat relative to said base.
 16. The booster seat of claim1, wherein the relative motion of said seat to said base results in aheight change of said seat relative to the elevated surface in the rangeof five (5) to ten (10) inches.
 17. The booster seat of claim 1, furthercomprising a seatbelt to secure a child seated in said booster seat.